The Low Carbon Economy Ltd

Robin Rigg wind farm gets first turbine

The first turbine at the delayed Robin Rigg wind farm in the Solway Firth has been completed.

When finished, the 60-turbine wind farm will have the capacity to generate 180 megawatts and it is claimed it will displace 235,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Each 3MW-rated Vestas turbine will stand 126-metres tall to the tip of its blades.

Following various problems to delay the project, E.On, which will operate the farm has brought in three installation jack-up rigs  vessels which can be raised and lowered on their legs  to speed up the construction process.

E.On is also a stakeholder in the one gigawatt London Array  set to be the biggest wind farm in the world when it is completed, with the first phase due to be delivered in 2012.

Its turbines will help the UK towards targets of generating 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

While it is participating in some of the largest renewable energy projects, E.On is also planning on building a controversial coal burning power plant at Kingsnorth.